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Refer to section on "Before you leave" for relevant guidelines. Everyone travelling to Jamaica must present a valid and approved travel document. The standard for a travel document is a passport, but Passport Immigration & Citizenship Agency (PICA) noted that other types of travel documents may be accepted. To be sure, check their webpage, Requirements for Travel to Jamaica.

A non-national doing business in Jamaica is required to have a Business Visa when staying in Jamaica for thirty (30) or more days. The visa is valid for thirty (30) days from the date of entry; and renewable for thirty (30) days up to a maximum of six (6) times or for a total of one hundred and eighty (180) days per year.

Citizens from CARICOM, British Commonwealth and USA are exempt from the business visa requirement if staying in Jamaica for up to six (6) months. Regardless of length of stay, a citizen of the USA travelling for both business and pleasure requires a business visa.

Foreign investors can process their application for a Business Visa through JAMPRO, or directly at PICA. Your passport is needed for the application and must be valid six (6) months from the proposed date of entry. The application can be submitted to the Jamaican Consulate in your country of origin. There is an application fee: check with the Jamaican embassy in the country or PICA for this.

A non-national is required to have a work permit to work in Jamaica. The permit is valid for a period between six (6) months and maximum of three (3) years. These exemptions apply:

1. members of the Diplomatic Corps
2. citizens of CARICOM member countries or
3. foreign national who is married either to a Jamaican or CARICOM national

Work permit applications are made directly to the Ministry of Labour & Social Security (MLSS). JAMPRO can facilitate work permit applications for Business clients. Note there is a fee for permits that varies with period of work; contact the Ministry to know the applicable fee.

Contacts are listed below for key agencies:

Ministry of Labour & Social Security
1F North Street, Kingston
Tel.:1 (876) 922-9500-14
Fax: 1 (876) 922-6902
Email: mlss_recmgmt@cwjamaica.com
Web: www.mlss.gov.jm

Jamaica Promotions Corporation
18 Trafalgar Road, Kingston 10
Tel.: (876) 978 7755; +1 (877) JAMVEST (Overseas)
Fax: +1 876 946 0090
Email: info@jamprocorp.com
Web: www.jamaicatradeandinvest.org 

Passport Immigrant & Citizenship Agency
25 Constant Spring Road, Kingston 10
Tel. :(876) 754-7422
Fax: (876) 906-4372
Email: info@pica.gov.jm
Web: www.pica.gov.jm